TTDC to launch chopper service in TN

Published: Thursday, July 5, 2007, 13:37 [IST]

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Chennai, July 5: Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has decided to tie up with Public sector undertaking operate Pawan Hans Helicopters to regular chopper services in the first phase between Madurai, Rameswaram and Coimbatore as part of its efforts to introduce 'Heli-tourism'.

TTDC officials here today informed that after holding the first review meeting of 'Heli-Tourism', it was decided to launch five-seater helicopter service between Madurai and Rameswaram and Madurai and Coimbatore from October next.

The introduction of helicopter services would boost tourism industry in the State and would help attract more overseas tourists by providing convenient links to flights of major carriers operating out of Madurai, they added.

The second phase proposal provides link belween Madurai and Kodaikanal along with Coimbatore and Udhagamandalam.

Detailed measures have also been worked out with another Thiruvananthapuram-based operator to operate flights to Kanyakumari and Palani.

The TTDC would enlist the support of major air carriers operating out of Madurai to ensure that their services provided convenient connections to the proposed heli-tourism flights.

The Tamil Nadu Government would help TTDC to secure the necessary clearances from the Union Government, especially the Civil Aviation, Union Home, Environment and Tourism Ministries, before October.

The officials said the estimated cost for an hour's flying would be Rs 50,000. The tariff to cover the 45-minute journey between Madurai and Rameswaram per passenger would be Rs 7,506 and for the 35-minute journey between Madurai and Kodaikanal Rs 5,838.